Boy, 13, arrested on suspicion of raping woman after dog walker stops attack

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A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of rape after a 35-year-old woman was allegedly attacked in southeast London.

Police were alerted after the suspect was “disturbed” and detained by a passer-by walking his dog on Winn’s Common, in Plumstead, on Tuesday at around 11pm.

The boy’s accomplice, an as yet unidentified man, fled the scene.

“Police were called shortly before 11pm on 21 December to reports … that a 35-year-old woman was raped by two males in bushes near to Lakedale Road SE18,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said.

“A member of the public, who was walking his dog, disturbed the suspects and assisted in detaining one of them at the scene.”

The spokesperson added that the detained teenager had been arrested on suspicion of rape, but was initially taken to hospital to be treated for an injury to his own finger – caused by a dog bite.

He was then taken into custody.

“Our enquiries continue,” the Met added in its statement.